Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 February 2005. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 7 February 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the circumstances were of the death of a soldier who was crushed when an armoured vehicle overturned in Amesbury, Wiltshire in the first week of December 2004; to what regiment those involved belonged; when he expects an inquest to be held; what steps have been taken to establish a Board of Inquiry into the incident; and at what time and date the Health and Safety Executive were informed of the incident.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the circumstances were of the death of a soldier who was crushed when an armoured vehicle overturned in Amesbury, Wiltshire in the first week of December 2004; to what regiment those involved belonged; when he expects an inquest to be held; what steps have been taken to establish a Board of Inquiry into the incident; and at what time and date the Health and Safety Executive were informed of the incident. [208867] Mr. Caplin: The incident in question was a road traffic accident involving a Saxon armoured vehicle, which occurred on 3 December 2004, on the A345 between Netheravon and Figheldean. Two soldiers of 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards were involved, one of whom died. The circumstances are subject to an ongoing investigation by the Wiltshire police. A Service Board of Inquiry was convened on 6 December 2004. The Health and Safety Executive has not been informed, as is usual when the police do not consider that an accident is work-related. The inquest to determine the cause of death is a matter for HM coroner.

Secondary information